Combined step-ladder



(No Model.) 2fShoets-Sheet 1. W. P. GOULTBRJ. N. HORN, F. C. REITER,A-.-YW. LYDA,

J. FREIDHOPF, Jr., H. DAVIS & H. B. BARNES COMBINED STEP LADDER,WASHB-ENGH, m.

No. 574,397. Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

(No Model. 2 shoets sheet 2.

N, P. G. REITER, A. W. LYDA -w..P. GOULTER, J. N. HOR

'J. FREIDHOPI, Jr.,' H. DAVIS &H B. BARNES COMBINED STEP LADDER,WAsgBENcH, 6m.

NILLIAM P. OOULTER, JOHN HORN, FRANCIS C. REITER, ARTHUR TV. LYDA, JOHNFREIDHOFF, JR, HOWARD DAVIS, AND HENRY B. BARNES,

OF J OHNSTOVVN, PENNSYLVANIA.

COMBINED STEP-LADDER, WASHBENCH, 80C.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 574,397, dated January5, 1897.

A Application filed January 16, 1896. Serial No. 575,813. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM P. COULTER, J OHN N. HoRN, FRANoIS O.REITER, ARTHUR W. LYDA, JOHN FREIDHOFF, J12, HOWARD DAVIS, and HENRY B.BARNES, citizens of the United States, residing at J ohnstown, in thecounty of Oambria and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Combination Step-Ladder, Washbench, &c., of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in step-ladders, &c., and hasfor its object to provide in one article a combined step-ladder,washbenoh or tub-support, childs crib, &c.

A further object of the invention is to construct such combinationarticle in a manner that will admit of the same being folded intocompact shape for the purpose of storage or transportation, and at thesame time permit the Several parts of the article to be quickly andeasily adjusted into any desired relation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the courseof the subjoined description.

The invention consists in certain novel features and details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the drawings, and finally embodied in the claims.

- In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of theimproved article adapted for use as a step-ladder. Fig. 2 is a similarview showing the article adapted for use as a washbench, &c. Fig. 3 is avertical section through the article folded. Fig. 4 is an enlargeddetail perspective View of the hinged-lock joint between the step-laddersections. Fig. 5 is a similar view of one of the angle-castings whichjoin the upper ends of the diverging supports.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates four supportinglegs or standards arranged in parallel pairs, the members of each pairconverging upwardly toward the opposing pair and being connectedthereto, pivotally, by means of angle or elbow castings 2. Each arm ofeach angle-casting is perforated to admit of a pivotal bolt or screw areconnected by means of stay-chains 8, for

limiting the spreading of the same, and such spreading is also arrestedby, reason of the upper extremities of said legs or standards abuttingagainst the opposite side faces of the ridge-bar 5. Each of theangle-castings 2 is also provided with spaced lugs 9, embracing andsteadying the ridge-bar, and may also be perforated, as at 10, to admitof an additional fastening being driven into the end of the ridge-barfor preventing the same from twisting.

'11 designates a sectional frame which may constitute either thestep-ladder proper or the horizontal support for a washtub. The sectionsof this frame are hinged together at their adjacent ends and eachsection comprises parallel side bars spaced a suitable distance apart toadapt them to be folded between the legs or standards 1, the said sidebars (indicated at 12) being connected by a series of cross-barsconstituting the stepsor treads l3- of the step-ladder. The side bars ofeach latter section are connected at their abutting ends by means ofhinge-plates 14, secured, preferably, to the inner surfaces of suchabutting ends, the said plates having interlapping perforated ears 15,connected by a pivot 16. Pivotally connected with one of the plates ofeach pair is a swinging latch 17, which vibrates within a guide-eye 18,fast upon the same plate upon which the latch is pivoted. Connectedpermanently with the latch is a spring 19, which bears at its free endWithin the guide-eye 18 and serves to give the latch a normal tendencyinward or toward the opposite end of the guide-eye. The pivoted latchprojects beyond the end of its side bar and is provided with a notch 20,adapted to take over and engage with a lateral pin or stud 21 on theopposite hinge-plate when the adjacent ends of the side bars are causedto abut. The extremity of the swinging latch is deflected substantiallyat right angles to form a lateral lip, by means of which the latch maybe released from its engagement with the pin or stud, and also to forman inclined nose, whereby the latch will automatically ride over the pinor stud and into engagement therewith. This construction forms a verysafe and reliable joint between the laddersections and holds the sameperfectly rigid with relation to each other when brought into alinement.At the same time by pressing simultaneously upon the deflectedextremities of the latches the joint may be readily broken between theladder-sections, and the latter may then be folded side by side into theposition indicated in Fig. 3.

The lower ladder-section is pivotal] y mounted at its proximal centerupon the intermediate round 7 of one pair of legs or standards, and theother ladder-section is provided at a corresponding point or adjacent toits center with spring-clasps 22, which, when the device is used as aladder, rest upon the upper edge of the ridge-bar 5 and at other timesembrace the intermediate rounds 7 of the opposing pair of legs orstandards 1 in the manner illustrated in Fig. Underthe latter adjustmentand when the ladder-sections are brought into horizontal alinement, asindicated in Fig. 2, and locked by the self-acting latch above describedthe device is adapted to be used as a \WISllllGllCll, theladder-sections servin to up hold one or more tubs, while the ridgebaris well adapted to have a clothes-wringer applied thereto.

The device is also adapted, under the adjustment illustrated in Fig. 2,to serve as the support for a babys crib, and may also in this positionor in its folded position, as shown in Fig. 3, be utilized as aclothes-rack. Under the adjustment shown in Fig. 1 the article is welladapted for use as a step-ladder, in which the ladder-sections.aresupported upon the intermediate round 7, and the ridge-bar 5 andtheinclined legs or standards are so disposed with relation to theladtier-sections that there will be no liability of the ladder tipping,even when a person is standing on the uppermost step or tread.

\Vhen the laddersections are arranged horizon tally and in alinem entwith each other,

as shown in Fig. 2, a convenient elevated sup port is provided uponwhich a mattress and other bedclothin g may be placed to adapt thedevice for use as a childs crib.

It will be understood that changes in the form, proportion, and minordetails of construction may be resorted to without departing from thespirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. Thecombination with a supporting frame having upwardly-convergin g sidebars arranged in parallel pairs and joined to a connecting ridge-bar, ofa ladder made in two sections hinged together and arranged to foldbetween the side bars of the supportingframe, one of said sections beingpermanently and pivotall y mounted on a cross-rung on thesupporting-frame and the other section being provided with spring-claspsfor engaging a cross-rung at the opposite side of the supporting-frame,and a spring-actuated latch for locking the ladder-sections rigidlytogether when brought into alinement, substantially as described.

2. A hinge consisting of two plates having interlappin g cars at theircontiguous corners, connected by a common pintle, a latch piw otallyconnected to one plate on an axis parallel with said pintle andprojecting at its free end beyond said plate, a laterally-projeetingstud on the opposing plate for engagement with said latch, an eye 01'staple on one plate embracing the latch intermediate its ends andforming a guard therefor, and a leaf-spring connected to said latchintermediate its ends and having its free end ongaged in said eye orstaple, substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have heretoai'lixed our signatures in the presence of witnesses.

WILLIAM P. GOULTER. JOHN N. HORN. F. (1. REITER. A. W. LYDA. JOHNFREIDIIOFF, .Ii-i. HOWARD DAVIS. Ii. B. BARNES.

Witnesses:

JULIUs KEYsER, PHILIPP SANDMAIER, LOUIS KEIPER, JNo. J. DEVLIN.

